Despite all my good intentions, I managed to pick up a bit of poison ivy at the cottage. I was walking home one night at dusk on the path, and I knew there was some sprigs growing on it, and I tried to be careful but it was dark. I should have gone and immediately washed my ankles in the strong soap I have for the purpose.

I am extremely allergic to poison ivy. I have suffered very badly in the past. But I've avoided it for so long, I've kind of lost track of the best remedies. There used to be a calamine/benedryl cream called caladryl that was great, but doesn't seem to be around anymore. Anybody got any tricks? Do I cover it, or air it? I just washed it with dish soap, then applied benedryl cream. I'm terrified of it spreading, I've spent miserable months in the past. I could hardly sleep last night with the itching, so I'm going to get some benedryl today for sure, the internal kind.